Phoenix Rising I (9 page)

And he’d never, ever, fucked one of his subordinates. That he was even thinking about the topic scared the hell out of him, because he could too easily envision himself spreading her thighs as he thrust deep. His cock throbbed over the purring engine and he clenched his jaw so hard he thought it might crack.

The detective haunted his dreams, and thank God she wasn’t a telepath. He’d read that much last night when he’d touched her forehead and heard the conversation she linked into. Because he was a touch telepath, Drake kept up his guard around others and never purposefully delved into another’s thoughts without permission. Few knew of that particular ability of his, and he wanted it kept that way. People tended to be shy around a man that could read minds.

He sighed as he pulled into his driveway. Summer had been strangely open to his touch, and the sheer lust that had hit him after melding minds with her had stunned him.

Hell, just standing under her hot little stare had aroused him. Maybe the mental touch had only boosted his body’s natural reaction to the curvy detective. He hoped.

When she’d spied him in the shower, it had shocked him to his core. His body had reacted on cue, as if it recognized her as a lover and not simply an attractive woman. He could sense her most vulnerable spots, knew where he’d put his lips first, then his hands.

That he hadn’t come from watching her watch him had been a major accomplishment. Her stare had felt like a visible caress, one he wanted way more than he should.

He frowned and removed his helmet, but didn’t immediately put it down. What if there was more to Summer than what he’d read in her file? The suspicion felt oddly right, and he knew to trust his instincts. Never before had he thought she might be more than a Spec cop, but after touching her … something didn’t jibe.

Putting his helmet back on, he started the engine and decided to pay a surprise visit to Detective Michaels. Maybe taking her off-guard would answer some of his questions, not to mention his resolve to keep her quiet on the issue of his touch telepathy. Nodding at his motives even though an inner part of himself screamed at him to turn back, Drake drove toward Summer’s--Detective Michaels’--residence, ignoring the fact that he knew her address by heart.

* * * *

As they sat in Summer’s living room trying to get comfortable on her plush couch, Summer stared in horror at Lorie, who smiled like the cat that ate the canary. “Repeat what you said in the car.”

“I said you’re a succubus. S-U-C-C-U-B-U-S. Don’t worry, no one else knows. Relax, Summer. I’m not planning on telling anyone, ever.”

“That I’m a … succubus? That’s an archaic word for sex demon! Are you nuts?”

“Come off it. You know you’re different. You just never described yourself as such. But you’re like me, Summer. Yeah, a sister succubus. Hell, it’s not so hard to accept. We both work in a squad full of telepaths, psychics, and telekinetic dorks. ‘Succubus’ is just a word.”

Lorie shook her head. “At least, I don’t think we’re demons. I go to church and all. Could I be evil?” She grinned, and Summer rolled her eyes. “I knew it the moment I met you. I wondered why you never said anything, but I respected your privacy. Our kind aren’t exactly the most open, you know?” At Summer’s dumb look, she continued. “Or maybe you don’t know. Anyhow, aren’t you glad you know now?”

Summer stared at Lorie, seeing a pretty brunette with attitude, but nothing more than that. “You’re telling me we’re the same. I’m a succubus--a sexual demon.” She stuttered over the word.

“I prefer ‘sexual dynamo.’” Lorie shook her head, a twinkle in her eyes. “You have to admit, your sex life is weird.”

“It’s nonexistent.”

“And that’s weird,” Lorie joked.

Summer pondered her partner, a woman she thought she’d known. A woman she’d trusted with her life. “But how do you know all this? I haven’t had sex in forever.” She dimly recalled her euphoric bouts with physical intimacy, and now wondered why she hadn’t repeated the experience since joining the police force two years ago. A horrible thought struck. “I don’t give off any weird, sexual vibes, do I?” she asked nervously. Was that why the cops in the precinct always looked so wary around her?

“No, no. I can see what no one else can, that’s all.” Lorie shrugged. “That’s one of my many talents. Don’t worry about it. You’re not a demon, Summer, just a woman with an extraordinary ability, or in your case, several abilities. And I only told you because I wanted you to know you’re not alone. We’ve been partners long enough now. And after last night, well, seems to me you could use a little help.”

“Excuse me?”

“That electric burn Lt. Hotbod scorched you with? It’s a Calling.”

“A what?”

“Who the hell raised you?” Lorie stared in fascination. “Didn’t your mom ever teach you about the life?”

“No. She was an only child and a baby when her parents died. She might not have known herself. Mama died when I was just a girl, and my dad and his mom, my grandmother, raised me.”

Lorie frowned. “But you call her abuela. I’ve seen pictures of your dad, and pale as he is, he’s more ‘dad’ than ‘papa.’ I just assumed your abuela was from your mother’s side.”

Summer flushed, feeling foolish. “I call her that to keep in touch with my mother’s culture. I never really learned much about my heritage after Mama died.” And the fact both embarrassed and puzzled her. “My only other relatives were all on my father’s side.”

Lorie narrowed her gaze. “And your father never pushed you to explore your roots. I bet he even pushed you away from them. Makes you wonder if he’s known the truth all along.”

“You think?”

Lorie shrugged. “Who knows? But we kind of got off track here. The whole point of this is that you and Nichols can be a thing, if you want.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” She knew, and the knowing made her snappish.

Lorie grinned. “When you’ve had sex in the past, you were dazed for a long time after it, right? The guys seemed like assholes because they lit out after coming once, and really quickly.”

Fascinated despite herself, Summer flushed and nodded.

“Well, a Calling is a sign that you’ve found a compatible mate.”

“A soul mate?” she asked on a quiet breath.

“Hell no.” Lorie snorted. “Personally, I’m not sure about the whole idea of a ‘soul mate.’ And it’s a bit too lovey-dovey to even think about, at least for me. A Calling is a sign that you’ve found a male capable of sustaining your needs. We can go a long time without sex, but eventually we need a fix or we start to go a little wonky.”

“Wonky?”

“Trust me, you’ll know ‘wonky’ if you ever get to it. Apparently, Lt. Hotbod can fill the hunger that lies just under your skin. It’s always there, but we learn to ignore it. Lucky you, you found someone to take the edge off.” Lorie looked almost jealous.

“But if you’re, ah, like me, don’t you feel the same for Nichols?”

Lorie shook her head. “Nope. I can’t explain it, Summer. I just know what I know. And I know when you find a male to curb your hunger, you go for it. No questions asked.”

“But I work for him. He’s my boss, and I never mix work with sex. It’s a recipe for disaster! Imagine how that would look, me screwing Lt. Nichols.”

Lorie sighed. “It would look hot, but I’m talking about him, not you. I’m sorry, women just don’t do it for me.”

Summer wanted to smack her, but Lorie only laughed. “It’s a lot to take in, especially if it’s all new to you. Sorry to be the one to break the news, but frankly, I’m glad I did.”

Summer noted the small note of vulnerability in her partner she’d never before seen. Lorie laughed and joked, but underneath it all, she was lonely.

“Lorie,” Summer said softly, not sure what she would have said had the doorbell not rung.

Lorie rose quickly and moved to the door, almost as if she didn’t want to hear Summer’s reply. Opening the door, Lorie stared, silent, then glanced back over her shoulder, grinning like a true devil. “Sorry, Summer, but I have to go.” She grabbed her keys from the hall table. “Don’t worry, I’m completely sober. I’ll see you Monday.” And, nodding to Lt. Hotbod, she quickly left.

Chapter Three

Drake frowned at Detective Tannon’s retreating back. He hadn’t expected Michaels to have company.

“Ah, Lt. Nichols?”

Summer’s voice drew him like a magnet. He stared hungrily over the skin-hugging t-shirt that clung lovingly to her full breasts and taut stomach. Arousal welled within him, and he took a deep breath to clear his suddenly muddied mind.

“Michaels.” He nodded. “I wanted to talk to you about that bust last night.”

She stared at him for a moment as if weighing the decision to allow him entry, then stepped back and waited for him to pass.

He entered her home, noting the warm yet eclectic feel that was Summer Michaels. Bold colors splashed the walls and the square carpets over hardwood floors. Unlike his place, Summer’s had bright prints and pictures decorating the walls, and the house smelled faintly of vanilla. He inhaled deeper, a subtle scent of roses making his entire body tighten in anticipation of … something.

“Would you like something to drink?”

He blinked, wondering where the hell his mind was tonight. A beer sat on her coffee table and he pointed to it. “If you’ve got any more of that, I’ll take one.”

She left and returned in moments with a bottle. As she handed it to him, their fingers touched, and again a jolt of what felt like electricity burned through his body.

Summer’s eyes widened, but she said nothing and took a seat in a deep leather chair next to the couch. He sat across from her, the table between them, and took a large drag from his bottle, trying to calm his rampant desire.

Shit. That touch had not only brought his libido to raging life, but it had given him a brief glimpse at her desires, as well. The knowledge that he could have her, all of her, was going to drive him insane. Brushing the sudden sweat off his brow with his forearm, he focused on her large, whiskey-brown eyes and reminded himself of their relationship--that strictly lieutenant-to-detective work relationship.

“Michaels, I’m here because we never discussed what you’re going to tell Doc Fisk on Monday.”

She blinked. “Sir?”

“I know you and your partner make everything neat before debriefing.” He shook his head when she tried to interrupt. “Don’t bother, Michaels. I was a detective once too, and if you have an ounce of sense, you don’t tell the doc everything that really happens on a takedown, not if you’re Spec.”

She studied him with an intensity he found slightly unnerving. “What exactly is it that you don’t want me to tell him?”

“That’s what I like about you, Michaels. You always get straight to the heart of the matter.” He grinned and took another downing of beer. His stare slipped from her mouth, however, to her breasts that peaked under his watch. Arousal slugged him harder as he saw with his own eyes the evidence of her attraction. Then she flushed and crossed her arms over her chest with a subtle clearing of her throat.

“Lieutenant,” she began softly and licked her lips.

Dammit. If she kept that up he’d never make it out of here without touching her, without tasting her. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention that I touched you,” he said in a gravelly voice. How best to go about explaining he was a touch-telepath, and perhaps, an empath? “You felt that spark, I know.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You know?” He nodded and her eyes grew impossibly dark. “You know about the Calling?”

He frowned. “Calling? I guess you could call it that.” Though most of the squad referred to telepathy as eavesdropping, or just that, telepathy, he supposed his gift was a sort of calling, like dialing into one’s brainwaves.

Summer, Michaels, he reminded himself, leaned forward, her nipples pushing through her shirt, her breaths coming faster and faster. “And you don’t mind it? The Calling, I mean?”

He shrugged and took another sip of beer, his eyes unapologetically drawn to her luscious breasts. “We all have abilities we didn’t exactly ask for.” He shifted slightly to relieve the ache in his balls, the stiffness in his cock. “We use them as they’re needed, and we make do. We’ve been blessed with these gifts for a reason. No sense in trying to ignore them, not when we can put them to good use.”

She bit her lip and he inwardly groaned.

“Oh, thank God!” She leapt off her chair and flew at him. Shocked, he dropped his bottle and found his arms full of Summer Michaels. And hell, the feel of her set him off like a rocket. Before he could say a word, she plastered her mouth to his and all thought left him.

Emotions burst like a rainbow, shards of feeling coloring him into an arousal so deep, nothing would ease him but burying himself deeply in Summer.

He met her thrusting tongue with his, dueling for mastery and groaning when she sighed his name. Without conscious thought, he felt her breasts and squeezed, loving the fullness that felt so right in his palms. Unable to resist a moment longer, he slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss, and pulled her body over his, meshing her mound with his erection.

“Oh, Drake,” she gasped and rubbed over him like a cat.

He nipped his way down her neck, then back to her ear. Thrusting his tongue in the canal, he rocked against the sudden shudder that captured her, knowing he had to be inside her soon or he’d explode.

“Ah, Summer,” he breathed and bit lightly at her earlobe. He ran his hands under her shirt and deftly unfastened her bra. Then he grazed her skin, deliberately keeping his touch light as he plucked her nipples. “I’ve been wanting to fuck you forever.”

She ground against him hard and he saw stars. Closing his eyes, he thrust up into her, as much as his denim and hers would allow.

“There are way too many clothes between us,” she gasped and sat up, capturing his undivided attention. Ripping her shirt and bra off, then shimmying out of her jeans, she stood before him, unselfconscious of her nudity.

Drake’s eyes burned as he traced the contours of her deliciously toned body. Her darker skin made the muscles and sleekness of her frame stand out, so that it was impossible to look anywhere else. Her nipples were a luscious chocolate brown, and he wanted nothing more than to taste them. His eyes trailed over her flat stomach to her pussy.